RAGBRAI 38 is complete! The route today from Manchester to Dubuque was 48 miles.

RAIN!! Today was 62 miles from Waterloo to Manchester. First up was a HUGE buffet at the college. There was no hurry to get started since it was pouring rain complete with lightening and thunder.

Today's ride was 82 miles from Charles City to Waterloo. We stayed at Hawkeye Community College. I finally found that piece of strawberry rhubarb pie in honor of Shelby. It was yummy! Shelby, is your mouth watering?

Today was a 52 mile ride from Clear Lake to Charles City. When I arrived, Tristan & Sierra had already picked out the dinner location. We went early so we didn't have to stand too long in the line. We had lasagna, coleslaw, veggies, and dessert. We were back at our tents by 5:00 and took a 2 hour nap. Later when Sierra and I decided to go downtown to the coffee shop, Tristan did not want to wake up!

Grilled ham & cheese for breakfast in Algona. We've discovered that the food lines out in the country are long so we are getting something to eat before leaving town. Plus, Sierra likes her morning coffee! Today's ride was 60 miles from Algona to Clear Lake.

After the 79 mile ride from Storm Lake to Algona, a beef & noodle dinner at the Knights of Columbus was agreed upon by all. I think all of us had 2 helpings along with bread, coleslaw, and ice cream. Sierra actually rode the Karras loop for her first century ride and Tristan rode 10 extra miles through the campgrounds!

It's 7AM in Sioux City and everyone is ready to set out for the 68 mile ride to Storm Lake.

Cousins Tristan and Sierra perform the traditional back tire dip in the Missouri River.

This tornado started about a mile from our house, proceeded into Indianola and damaged about 6 homes on the west side of town. I was busy packing for RAGBRAI and didn't even know what was going on until Becky and Julie called to see if we were OK. Sierra also arrived from Indiana right about that time but she came in from the north.

My new frame came today. Now......... to find time to put it together!

Yes, he is asleep and snoring! Everyone needs a day off from home projects once in awhile......

Progress continues on the deck project. We are about 1/3 done with the top boards. That is a LOT of screws!

I discovered today that yesterday's storms took down one of our two pear trees and about half of the other. The pear crop will be quite a bit less this year.

A storm rolled in this morning around 6 AM. There was a lot of wind and not as much rain. We waited it out and managed to start the BMX race about an hour late.

Sam White showed up by surprise in East Moline for one last BMX race before heading off to college!

I took today off to go to East Moline for the BMX race. Before I left, I saw my little frog friend in the lilies again. The bugs were flying all around him. He must stay because the eating is easy!

Which of these do you like better - the B&W or the color?

Here's the deck project after about 10 days of work. It's almost ready for the top boards to be put in place.

Rich had the day off today and spent it working on the deck. The heat index today was about 110 degrees and he was completely soaked. He called and asked me to stop and get him his favorite double choclaty chip frappuccino from Starbucks. Chase and Charlie know that he will let them clean the cup when he is done.

I found this little frog tonight while weeding. First, he was on an oriental lily and then moved to this day lily. I watched him almost catch a big fly right before this pic. He is only about as big as the tip of my thumb.

Last Thursday before I left for the weekend, the oriental lilies were not blooming. What a surprise today to see that there were at least 15 of these fabulous blooms out with plenty more to come!

Today's women's cruiser classes at Music City BMX Nationals in Nashville, TN. From left to right: Brittany Sierra, Melissa, Emily, Debbie, and Angie.

I had heard about these silly bands and saw lots of them at the BMX race last weekend. Sierra and I decided we needed some and were happy to find these "Sponge Bob" silly bands when we stopped for ice this morning.

So, Sierra and I headed to the grocery store after BMX practice and we found this duck on the sidewalk of the strip mall begging outside a chinese restaurant. After we left, I thought that outside a chinese restaurant probably is not a great place for a little duck to hang out! We did our shopping, came back out and someone had given her a fortune cookie to eat.

Day #7 of the deck project brings more hole digging. This deck is gonna be sturdy!!

Miss Kittie spotted this toad and wanted to play. She finally gave up and laid down next to it in the shade of the potted plants on the deck.

Here's a view from above, day #6 of the deck project. Rich sits pondering his next move. It's going to look great when complete!

Since I was gone all weekend playing, this is the view of the deck project when I returned, day #4/5. The upper part is 16x16 feet and the lower part is 4x16 feet. It's gonna be nice!

Here's a pic of the Ladies Cruiser class at the BMX race this weekend. What was really cool about this weekend was that there were 2 motos of us. Tammi, Michelle, and I raced each other in our moto and right after us raced our daughters: Tammi's daughter Krystal, Michelle's daughter Samantha, and my daughters Kristin and Sierra. From left to right is: Tammi, Michelle, Angie, Krystal, Kristin, Mandy, and Virginia.

Here's the Thudes making himself comfy at the hotel - all white, nothin' but the best for my granddog!

The "benches around the lake" - part of the new 100 acre park exhibit at the Indianapolis Museum of Art.

Today, I'm off to Evansville via Indianapolis to go visit the girls and go BMX racing. I haven't driven the truck for awhile and the first time I filled it up with gas, this is what I saw. REALLY? I wonder if they still recommend BP.